Overview
- Archer Avenue has been narrowed from four travel lanes to two as part of a CDOT complete-streets project that adds protected bike lanes and pedestrian upgrades.
- More than 2,000 residents signed a petition opposing the changes, reporting backups on Archer and heavy diversion into side streets and alleys.
- An 8th District Police Council member warned that the condensed roadway could complicate navigation for emergency vehicles.
- Residents also criticized winter timing, saying snow and ice often cover the new bike and pedestrian areas and that bike lanes are not adequately plowed.
- City officials defend the project on safety grounds, citing a 47% higher crash rate in Brighton Park and resident accounts of roughly 1,500 crashes a year since 2020.